The Pac-12 landed the biggest prize available during its rebuilding phase as basketball powerhouse Gonzaga agreed to join the conference Tuesday for membership beginning in the summer of 2026.
The Zags, a member of the West Coast Conference since 1979, represent a massive victory and major strategic shift for the reconstituted Pac-12.
“We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said. “Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”
Gonzaga is an NCAA Tournament stalwart and has reached the national championship game twice (2017 and 2021). It produces first-round NBA Draft picks, generates high-level TV viewership, plays marquee non-conference games across the country and carries significant media rights value.
“At a time when the Pac-12 needs national relevance to set up a sustainable future, the irony is it will garner that from a basketball school,” an industry source said.
“Gonzaga will bring a national brand that, despite not moving the needle on football media rights revenue, will change the dynamic of the conversation for the Pac-12 with potential media rights bidders.”
After membership offers were rejected by three schools in the American Athletic Conference and then UNLV, which opted to stay in the Mountain West, the rebuilt Pac-12 remained one full-time member short of the eight schools needed for NCAA certification.
Instead of focusing on football schools to satisfy the requirement, the Pac-12 instead engaged in a full-throttle pursuit of the Zags, who will be a partial member because they don’t sponsor football.
But they were the biggest brand available and will instantly transform the Pac-12’s lineup of basketball programs, which includes San Diego State, the 2023 NCAA Tournament finalists.
The Zags have pursued membership in other conferences in recent years, with the Big 12 atop the list of potential landing spots. But the conference ultimately passed, in part because Gonzaga’s status as a non-football school makes the finances tricky.
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But the rebuilt Pac-12 carries a significantly lower media valuation than the Big 12, and that changed the calculation.
The financial terms have not been disclosed.
The Pac-12 added Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State in the middle of September, with Utah State coming aboard last week.
Where the conference turns for its eighth full-time member remains to be seen. Texas State is believed to be under consideration.
But Gonzaga’s presence could make the Pac-12 more attractive to schools that previously passed on membership opportunities.
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